Portable drinking fountain



April 15, 1941. H E, BRANDT 2,238,093

PORTABLE DRINKING FOUNTAIN Filed Feb. 18, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l pril l5, 1941. H, E. BRANDT PORTABLE DRINKING FOUNTAIN Filed Feb. 18,` 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 15, 1941 UNITED `STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE DRINKING `IiOUN'JIAIN Henry E. Brandt, St. Paul, Application February 18, 1938, Serial No. 191,231

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a drinking device or fountain and particularly to such a device which is easily portable and which may be conveniently carried about by one person in the use thereof.

It has long been the custom to supply various crews of` workmen with drinking water which has carried to them by an attendant. One common way of carrying such water to -construction and other crews was to have the Water in a bucket and serve the same with a cup or clipper. With this practice trouble has been experienced on account of the transmission of disease from one member of the crew to another. In some cases an epidemic of trench mouth or Vicks disease has been caused by such practice and it is probable that other infections have been so transmitted.

It is desirable thereforefto have some sanitary method of not only carrying `the water to the workmen but some way for them to drink the water without danger of contamination.

It is an object of this invention therefore, to provide a simple and `erlicient `portable drinking device `by means of which water can be carried in a clean and sanitary condition and by means of which the Workmen or other persons may conveniently'be served.

`It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable drinking device comprising a liquid container, `preferably ofthe upstanding type, said container having a bubbler device secured thereto with means for delivering the water to said bubbler device and means for controlling the flow of liquid therethrough. Y

It is still further an object of the invention to provide a portable drinking device comprising a container having a comparatively large filling opening in the top thereof so that it can be easily filled and cleaned, a removable cover for the opening, means `for tightening or loosening said cover comprising a handle disposed above and preferably centrally of said container, said handle functioning to tighten and loosen said cover and also to operate a air pump disposed within the container and provided with means for discharging air into said container adjacent said cover.

These and other objects `and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a View in 'side elevation of the device;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in side elevation but mostly in central vertical section; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on line `4---LI of Fig; 2 as indicated by the arrow.

Referring to the drawings a portable drinking device is shown comprising a container I ll. While said container may be made of various forms, `in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as of elongated cylindrical form adapted to stand upright. Said container has a substantially horizontal bottom Illa and has an inwardly curved top portion Ilib terminating in a circular bead Hic which defines a comparatively large opening in the top of the container through which it may be lled. A cylindrical casing II surrounds container Iii, the cylindrical wall `of which and the horizontal bottom portion of which are spaced from the corresponding portions of container Ill. Casing II also has an inwardly curved top portion I-Ia, the inner edge of which engages the top I Db of container I0. The space between container I0 and casing II will be lled with somegood insulating material or compound. A cover I2 is provided having a central upwardly directed dome-like portion |211, an intermediate portion slightly `concave on its upper side and an outer annular trough-shaped portion I2`b. The portion IZb has its open side directed downwardly and receives and holds an annular gasket I3 which will be made of some suitable yielding material such as rubber or rubber composition. Gasket I3 rests upon the top of the bead Hic and forms a tight seal therewith to thus tightly close the container Ill. The central portion Illa is centrally apertured to receive a lower reduced threaded portion I-lIct of a plug I4. A nut I5 is threaded on theportion I4a so that portion Illa is disposed between nut I5 and a shoulder on the `plug I4. Plug I4 is exteriorly threaded through its main or central portion and screws into the central threaded portion of a bar I6 which extends transversely across the top of and some distance beyond cover I2. `Bar I6 has short vertical projections Ita extending Vupwardly at its ends and said bar is adapted to be received in slots IIa extending laterally into ears or lugs I'I formed of comparatively thin plates extending vertically at either side of container I0. While lugs I'I might be variously formed and secured, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated they are shown as having their lower ends extending through the top `of container In and along the inner side of the top portion lllb to which they are secured in any suitable manner as by Welding.

As shown in Fig, 1 the slots Ila extend upwardly` a short distance above the outer horizontal edge of lugs II, or in other words said slots are slightly reentrant. Plug has an outwardly extending flange I4b at its top which is provided on its underside and at opposite sides with a pair of rectangular slots I4c. Another pair of slots I4e extend vertically through iiange I/Ib midway between slots I4d. Said plug is also provided at its upper end with a vertical bore I4d. A coiled compression spring I8 is disposed in bore I4d and surrounds a plunger rod I9 which at its upper end is rigidly secured t a handle member 2U. Handle has a substantially semi-circular or U-shaped portion the arms of which are directed upwardly and have revolubly mounted in their upper ends and extending therebetween a grip portion 20a of substantially cylindrical form, the same being slightly tapered toward either end. Handle 20 has a flange 29h at its lower side from the opposite sides of which depend lugs 20c having inwardly extending portions 20d adapted to be received in the slots I4c. The lower open end of portion I2a is slightly less in diameter than its upper curved or dome-like portion and the upper end of a pump cylinder 2I has an outwardly extending bead 2Ia at its upper end received in portion I 2a. Portion I2a at opposite sides has inwardly pressed parts or indentations I2c and the bead 2Ia is adapted to be pressed past these parts and thus to be removably held in portion I2a. Cylinder 2| is thus revolubly connected to portion I2a and it may also be stated that plug I4 is connected to portion I 2a for rotative movement relative thereto. Plunger rodv I9 has a threaded portion adjacent its lower end on which is adjustably secured a nut 22. A spring 23 of the coiled compression type surrounds rod I9 above nut 22 and acts as a buier to engage the lower end of plug I4 when rod I9 is lifted. A plunger 24 is secured to the lower end of rod I9 being held between an upper plate 25 and a lower plate 26, the latter being engaged by a nut 21 threaded onto the lower end of rod I9. A compression coiled spring 28 is disposed between plate 25 and nut 22. Plunger 24 is provided with some apertures 24a. Should the pressure created by the pump be sufficient to compress spring 28, plate 25 would be lifted and the pressure relieved. Nut 22 can be adjusted to adjust the tension of spring 28 so that the amount of pressure to be created by the air pump compressing cylinder 2| and plunger 24 can be regulated. 'I'he lower end of cylinder 2I has a recess 2lb extending laterally therefrom communicating through a small hole 2 Ic with a valve chamber 2 Id. A ball check valve 29 is disposed in the chamber 2 Id adapted to rest on a seat, closing opening 2Ic or to be raised against a seat formed on the lower end of a tube 30 and close the opening therethrough. Tube 39 extends from the top of chamber 2Id to a point adjacent the cover I 2 and thus to a point adjacent the top of the container Ill. Tube 30 is shown as held adjacent its upper end in a small angle bracket 3| secured to the upper end of cylinder 2I-.

Container I 0 has secured at one side to the portion I 0b a boss or portion Id. Said portion Id is provided with a threaded bore at its lower end in which is secured the upper end of a tube 32 which extends downwardly to a point adjacent the bottom of container I0 where it is preferably surrounded by a screen member 33. Portion IIld is also provided with a threaded bore at its upper and outer end in which is secured the lower reduced and threaded portion 34a of a valve casing 34 which extends upwardly and outwardly from the portion Ib of container I0 and has a central bore therein. Portion IUd is provided with an aperture I 9e which communicates with the lower end' of a passage 34h extending centrally of the valve casing 34 and into the bore thereof. A valve seat is formed at the upper end of passage 34h` with which engages a valve 35 preferably formed of some yielding material such as rubber. Valve 35 is held on the lower reduced portion of a short stud 36 secured in the lower end of a tube 31. A washer 38 is disposed at the lower end of tube 31 against which rests a small disk or washer 39. A compression coiled spring 40 surrounds tube 31 seating at its lower end against disk 39 and at its upper end against another disk or washer 4I engaging a packing member or washer member 42 which surrounds tube 31 and seats against a plug 43 threaded into the top of valve casing 34. Tube 31 is provided with a plurality of holes 31a therein above stud 36. Plug 43 has a hexagonal iiange at its upper end between which and the top of the valve casing 34 is clamped the lower horizontal portion of a guard member 44. Guard member 44 is of considerable width and concave on its outer side and extends some distance above valve casing 34. Tube 31 extends upwardly through a central bore in plug 33 and has its upper end exteriorly threaded to receive a bubbler head or member 45 having a semispherical upper end and' a central discharge outlet 45a. The lower portion of bubbler 45 is of hexagonal shape and is disposed some distance above the top of plug 43. A valve lever or handle 46 formed of a small bar shown as having parallel sides is apertured at its outer end to surround tube 31 between members 43 and 45. In other words, tube 31 passes through the aperture in handle 46. Handle 46 extends inwardly through a slot 44a in guard 44 and is then curved upwardly and inwardly in a compound curve.

A handle 41 is formed of a rod extending in slightly convex form above and around the top portion Illb of container I0 and at the side opposite valve casing 34 said handle having its ends reversely bent and secured to the outer side of portion IDbl in any suitable manner as by welding. Casing II has secured to its side beneath and centrally aligned with handle 41 a clip bracket 48 in which is oscillatably mounted a triangular link 49. Link 49 is adapted to receive a strap or snap hook which may be provided for carrying the device.

In operation the water or liquid to be supplied for drinking purposes will be placed in container I 9, cover I2 being removed for this purpose. To remove cover I2 handle 20 will be grasped and pushed downward against the tension of spring I8, lug portions 20d passing through slots I4e and then being aligned with and disposed in slots I4c by upward movement of said handle 20. Handle 20 can now be rotated in a counter clockwise direction to rotate plug I4. This will relieve any pressure on cover I2 and bar I5 will be released from any pressure against lugs I1 and can now be depressed slightly and rotated in a counter clockwise direction to pass out of slot I'Ia and out of contact with lugs I1. The cover I2, bar I 6, plug I4, handle 20 and attached parts can now be lifted from the container. The Wide opening at the top of the container is now unobstructed and liquid can be easily poured therethrough into the container. To close the container the cover will be placed in position with the cylinder I9 extending downwardly into the container, bar I6 will be swung in a clockwise direction to move into the slot I1a and again engage lugs Il. Lugs 20c will again be engaged with flange lith as described and plug Li will be turned in a clockwise direction. This will press downwardly on cover l2 and gasket I3 and cause a reacting pressure on bar lo upward against lugs il. Cover l2 is thus rmly clamped in place with gasket i3 Ypressing against the top of bead Hic. hugs 2te are then disengaged from flange lith and handle 2t can be reciprocated to operate plunger in pump cylinder 2l. Air is thus pumped through said :cylinder 2i and through tube 3i), the same passing out at the top of said tube adjacent the top of the container so that it will not pass through the liquid in the container. It may be stated that the air passes into the cylinder around rod i9 which ts loosely in plug lli. Air pressure is thus built up in container It on top of the liquid and as above stated, this air pressure will be limited by the tension of spring 2t. The device is now ready for dispensing and the person desiring a drink of the liquid will place his mouth above bubbler l5 and adjacent guard 1M and press downwardly with his fingers on the inner end of lever or handle dfi. Handle' 4d fulcrums on guard irl and the outer end: thereof will raise bubbler d5 and` tube il and lifts valve 35 from its seat. The air pressure on the liquid forces the same through screen 33 into the lower end of tube 32 upwardly through said tube and through aperture lilo and passage Mb. Vl/hen valve 35 is lifted the liquid passes into the bore of valve casing 3d through holes tia and upwardly through tube 31 and through passage 45a in member d5. The liquid will thus be directed upwardly into the mouth of the person disposed above member 45. The guard dit prevents the person or drinker from mouth of the person disposed above member d5.

This prevents contamination and acts to prevent the transmission of any germs or diseases. When the drinker has finished he will release handle M5 and spring Mi will move tube 3l downwardly and valve :iii will be moved against its seat so that the discharge of water through passage Mb will be stopped. All that is necessary for the drinker to do is merely to press on the valve handle 46.

ie device can ybe easily carried by the handle 2d. t will be noted` that spring 23 and spring I8 act as buifers the latter being engaged by the underside of handle 2li. The device may also be carried by the handle M if desired and particularly when the cover is removed.

The pump cylinder 2| can be removed from the cover l2 by exerting suflicient pressure thereagainst.

It will also be seen that all of the parts are quite accessible. Plug d3 `,can be removed to give access to valve casing 3d. As stated, a strap may be secured to member 49 and hand-le il and the device carried' over the shoulder if this is desired. By providing the insulation between members li! and H the water or other liquid may be kept at a low temperature.

From the above description it is seen that have provided a simple and efficient and compact portable drinking device and one that is pleasing in appearance. The casing I I will be suitably coated to have a pleasing and non-corrosive surface. Guard M, bubbler 45, casing 34 and the top of the casing lil will all be nicely plated preferably with chromium plating. Handle 2li and bar I6 will be nicely finished so that a very desir-able device is produced. It will be noted that pump cylinder al doe-s no-t extend a great distance into the casing lli and no part of the liquid can get into the pump cylinder. The air pumped into the container is not passed through the liquid and objectionable foaming or frothing is prevented and there is no mixing of any substances in the air with the liquid. rthe device is made quite rugged so as to withstand any shocks or contacts to which it may be subjected in its ordinary use. The device has been. thoroughly demonstrated in actual practice and is being commercially made.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a drinking device adapted to be connected to a container, a hollow stem extending upwardly through which water passes from said container, a valve in said stem, a pipe connected to said valve forming a valve rod extending through the top of said stem and spaced from the interior wall thereof, a bubbler head secured to the upper end of said pipe above said stem, a spring for moving said valve to closed position, said pipe having a perforation therein above said valve within said stem, a concave-convex plate disposed at one side of and extending above said stem having its concave side directed toward said stem and forming a guard, a lever surrounding said pipe and engaging the lower side of said buhbler head to raise said pipe and open said valve to permit the flow of liquid through said stern and head, said lever extending through and being fulcrurned on said plate.

2. In a drinking device adapted to be; con-- nested to a container and to be directed upward- 1y and rearwardly, the combination of a stern having a lower threaded end by which it is secured and having a cylindrical chamber therein, a valve seat at the lower end of said chamber, a valve cooperating with said seat, a pipe secured to the upper end of said valve forming a valve rod and extending through the top of said stein, said stem being closed about said pipe at its upper end, said pipe being spaced from the wall of said chamber from said valve seat to said closed end, a bubbler head secured to said pipe at the upper side of said stem, said pipe having a perforation therein above said valve in said chamber, a guard of concavo-convex form disposed above and at one side of said stem with its concave side toward said stem, means for moving said valve to closed position and a lever extending through and fulcrumcd on said guard for raising said pipe and valve to open the latter for causing a fiow of liquid through said perforation, pipe and bubb'ler head.

HENRY E. BRANDT. 

